Today we’ve got something really special in store for you. If you’re a fan of Japanese Anime or any sort of fantasy cartoon fiction, this is gonna be up your alley. S.S. Hanami is an American band but with major Japanese influence. Read for yourself!

EpicBull: So S.S. Hanami is quite different than anything I’ve ever personally heard before! Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourselves and what the music is about and how did it come about?

S.S. Hanami: S.S. Hanami is a melodic rock band that incorporates aspects of traditional Japanese music including the koto (Japanese harp) as well as influences from anime, J-Rock, and Visual Kei.

My name is Robert Adams – I sing, play koto and synth, and write the music and lyrics. I first thought to incorporate the Japanese influence a few years ago when I heard the koto in the background music of an anime movie. I didn’t even know what the instrument was called, but I loved the sound. I researched Japanese instruments, found out its name and where I could acquire one, and then I found an instructor who could teach me how to play it. I took lessons for a few years before I felt ready to start a band. Up until recently, S.S. Hanami was more of a solo project and the rest of the line-up changed constantly based on what friends or studio musicians were available on a given date. But about a month ago, my friends Jimmy Brinkle and Andrew Wiggins volunteered to play bass and drums.

EB: I notice that the band has a lot to do with Japanese Anime. It’s such an interesting concept for a band, who came up with it?

SSH: I came up with it because there’s something about that style of animation that appeals to me – probably the idealized beauty and the over-the-top way it portrays characters’ emotions.

EB: Currently you have a debut single on your MySpace, will you be recording a full length CD in the future?

SSH: Absolutely. The next release is another single called “Yukimi” that will be out in early September, but we greatly prefer the album format so we’re saving up to record a full length.

EB: Do you have any upcoming shows that you will be performing?

SSH: August is set aside for recording, but we’ll be playing on Labor Day Weekend (September 4-6) in West Palm Beach, Florida at a Japanese Anime and Culture festival called Chibi-Pa. Our performance is on Saturday September 5. Then, on Sunday, I’ll be hosting a one-hour informative panel on the koto. There’s more about the event at www.chibipa.com.

EB: Thanks for your time to take this interview. Any last parting words for our readers?

SSH: Just a big thanks to anyone who takes the time to listen to our music or see us live. My biggest personal goal is to write songs that make the listener feel the same way that the most moving scenes from my favorite anime make me feel. Hopefully S.S. Hanami is able to accomplish that.

If you are interested in learning more about S.S. Hanami, you can visit their links at:
http://myspace.com/sshanami
http://www.cdbaby.com/sshanami

You can listen to S.S. Hanami right here and this single is available for purchase on iTunes and CD Baby!

Eternal Autumn